UPDATE: Steve Wrigley, Chancellor for the University System of Georgia intention is to suggest consolidating Armstrong State and Georgia Southern (GSU) to the Board of Regents, according to a release on the University System’s site.

The release goes on to say that, if approved the new institution would be named Georgia Southern University and will be led by President Jaimie Hebert.

The consolidation of the schools is “expected to enable the University System to better serve students, broaden or redesign academic programs offered in the coastal and south Georgia regions and reinvest savings into the academics to improve student success”.

“Creating the new Georgia Southern University will combine the best of both institutions, which are just an hour apart and ultimately serving many of the same students,” said Wrigley. “Consolidating Armstrong and Georgia Southern will create one institution with expanded regional presence, tailored degree programs for the coastal region and positioned to significantly enhance the University System’s economic impact for the area.”

GSU and Armstrong are the number one transfer choice and according to the release top picks for students seeking higher education from Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.